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Congo.
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Travelling to Congo: what to know before you go

The Republic of the Congo, often called Congo-Brazzaville to distinguish it from its larger neighbour, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, stretches from a short Atlantic coastline to deep rainforest in the north. Its capital, Brazzaville, faces Kinshasa across the Congo River, and its national parks protect gorillas and forest elephants. Tourism is small-scale and facilities are limited, so it suits wildlife enthusiasts and travellers comfortable with organised, off-the-beaten-track trips.

Where to go

• Odzala-Kokoua National Park. One of Africa's oldest national parks, covering rainforest, savannah and river forest in the north-west.
• Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. A remote, largely untouched block of rainforest in the north, part of the Sangha Trinational UNESCO site shared with Cameroon and the Central African Republic.
• Brazzaville. The capital lies on the Congo River with Kinshasa in view on the opposite bank.
• The Congo River rapids. Just downstream of Brazzaville, the river breaks into the powerful rapids that mark the start of its descent to the sea.

Best time to visit

The main dry season runs roughly from June to September, when travel is easier and forest trails are less muddy, though skies are often grey. There is also a shorter drier spell around December to February in some regions.

Staying online in Congo

Mobile coverage is reasonable in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire and other towns, and along the main highway, though speeds vary. In the northern rainforest and national parks there is usually little or no signal; some lodges offer limited Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi in city hotels is common but can be slow. Download offline maps and translation packs, carry a power bank, install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.